2019 RSL Player Profiles: David Ochoa

David Ochoa signed his first-team contract with RSL after the 2018 season to add some depth to the goalkeeper roster. With Nick Rimando’s retirement on the horizon, many thought the Ochoa signing would indicate that he could be next in line after spending a full year with the team.

While he never saw the field for the first team, Ochoa had himself a big year with the Real Monarchs while splitting time between the posts with Andrew Putna. Ochoa played 20 games for the Monarchs in their 2019 USL Championship title season and tallied 69 saves in the process.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper has made appearances at multiple levels with the US Mens National Team, being called up with the U-16, U-18, and U-20 teams.

With the performance he had last season with the Monarchs, there’s much speculation about whether he’ll be in the running for the starting position with RSL or not. With the recent addition of MLS veteran ‘keeper Zac MacMath, the answer to that question gets even more complicated as there are now three very capable shot-stoppers who could potentially step up to fill the giant shoes left by Rimando.

If I had to guess, I’d say that the three of them will each be given an equal opportunity to win the starting role, and we may see a lot of rotation for a good chunk of the season as Freddy Juarez assesses the situation and decides who will emerge as the frontrunner.